We conducted a systematic review of studies conducted in the high TB/HIV-burden countries between 1990 and 2016 on EFV pharmacokinetics during RH co-administration in co-infected patients. Two reviewers conducted article screening and data collection.

RESULTS:

Of 119 records retrieved, 22 were included (2 conducted in children), reporting either EFV mid-dose or pre-dose concentrations. In 19 studies, median or mean concentrations on RH range between 1000-4000ng/mL, the so called therapeutic range. The proportion of patients with sub-therapeutic concentration on RH ranged between 3.1 to 72.2%, in 12 studies including 1 conducted in children. The proportion of patients with supra-therapeutic concentration ranged between 19.6 to 48.0% in 6 adult studies and 1 child study. Five of 8 studies reported virological suppression > 80%. The association between any grade hepatic and central nervous system adverse effects with EFV / RH interaction was demonstrated in 2 and 3 studies, respectively. The frequency of the CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism ranged from 10 to 28% and was associated with higher plasma EFV concentrations, irrespective of ethnicity.